Farewell Memory Betensky

Jamie is good at so many things—pastoral empathy, teaching, preaching, social action, music. and more.

He showed heartfelt empathy and concern when we had family losses. By listening intently and asking us good questions he elicited memories of our parents and wove them into beautiful eulogies.

He’s a great teacher. Our son Dan says, ‘I still remember how meaningful I found his description of God as ‘the eternal possibility of being’ in confirmation class.’ Our son Joel says he’s always appreciated how patient and open Jamie was in dealing with teenagers. Bob and Aya have experienced what a superbly prepared and enthusiastic teacher he has been in Torah study, parasha class, and adult education classes, and at the Shabbaton. 

With his musical skill Jamie has brought services to life, especially our favorite, the Saturday morning minyan, starting in the Rogaliner, and its offshoot, the Shabbaton. In younger years we stayed up into the morning to be part of the Friday evening sing-along. Who could forget Irene and Harry Louik dancing to ‘Good Night, Irene?’ He created Aya’s favorite Temple group, the IG Choir, and helped it thrive, and supported the band. What Debbie Friedman had been to him—song leader, teacher, friend—Jamie has been to the congregation. What a legacy!